Wilson feared the worst with his knee

Nov. 28, 2012

Written by

Rob Demovsky

When Giants guard Chris Snee rolled on his knee and then others piled on at the end of the first play from scrimmage on Sunday, Packers defensive end C.J. Wilson thought his season was over.

He figured he blew out his knee.

Though Wilson isn’t likely to play Sunday against the Vikings, he was relieved to learn his injury isn’t a season-ender.

“I feared the worst,” said Wilson, who actually kept playing for 15 more plays following his injury before dropping out. “Hoped for the best, feared the worst. But I’m grateful that it was not too bad.”

Still, it appears the Packers will have to face the NFL’s leading rusher, Minnesota’s Adrian Peterson, without one of the best run-stopping defensive lineman.

“It’s a horrible feeling knowing I won’t be able to play Sunday and help the team with my defense, to stop this beast,” Wilson said. “But I'm sure the guys, they’re on the same plan. We’ve got some great guys in Mike Daniels and Mike Neal and Jerel (Worthy). They’re younger guys I guess that are more known for the pass rush, but they can be Adrian Peterson stoppers.”

At least the Packers won’t have to do it without two of their three base starters because Ryan Pickett, who missed practice today because of a thigh bruise, expects to play on Sunday.

“It’s going to be tough,” Pickett said. “We’re going to ask our young guys to step up. They’re up for the challenge. They’re going to have to step up and play because we’re going to miss C.J. He’s a real good run player, I think. A lot of times, he doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He can play the run real good. That’s definitely going to hurt us. It would definitely help us more if he was playing.”

The Vikings’ offense revolves around Peterson, who has rushed for 1,236 yards and is averaging 5.8 yards per carry. Pickett said he has been amazed at how effective Peterson has been coming off the ACL injury he sustained on Christmas Eve last year.

“I’ve been shocked,” Pickett said. “I’m like, ‘Wow, he blew his knee out.’ You just don’t expect to see him do the things he’s doing. This has probably one of his better years he’s ever had. He’s running the ball great. We were watching the run cut-ups, and it’s like a highlight reel. I’m like, ‘Wow, what is this?’ He’s averaging almost 6 yards a carry. That’s unheard of.”